Ovechkin managed to smile throughout much of his mea culpa, and fans largely seemed willing to shrug off this episode. It’s one thing when a goofy rookie tight end like Fred Davis snoozes through practice; the best hockey player in franchise history gets a bit more leeway. Yes, you’d rather this incident didn’t involve the veteran captain with a reputation for enjoying life, but Ovechkin has missed 12 games over five seasons despite playing like an adolescent high on Marshmallow Fluff. Leave the hyperventilating to loud-suited Canadians.

-Dan Steinberg of DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post where you can read more on the Washington Capitals.